USWNT vs Germany: 2024 Olympics SF pre/pbp/post

That save from Naeher !!!!

 

Naeher!! How did she save that?

 

Yup. And we'll be sizable underdogs.

Barring some training ground injury or illness, we'll probably see the same XI for the GMM.

If I was Emma I would do no more than 1 full training session between now and then.

 

With the tip of her big toe !!!

 

She is a pro!!!

 

2 goals given up in 420 minutes. Either Naeher is damn good or these are the 4/5 best defenders, individually and collectively we've ever had.

 

You are right. Spain is likely to decimate Brazil in 90 minutes. The Brazilians aren't that good and I was surprised that they managed to beat France, but Spain is another matter.

 

You might be underdogs (think you actually be slight favorites) but it certainly won't be sizable.

 

It seemed to me that just before the header Naeher took her weight off the foot that was on the most likely side the ball would go to. That enabled her to move her leg into the shot's path actually before the shot was taken.
Or she just got lucky but for goalkeepers "luck" of the comes in after a string of technically correct little moves.
Naeher is still way away from perfect but this match has shown that she is still learning and applying her new skills.

 

I haven't followed Spain in this tournament but in general they are the best lately.

p.s. If it is them, then I'll be watching an all Arsenal matchup between Caldenty and Fox. Tasty competition.

 

I was about to say that Smith is doing nothing -- when suddenly she scored a goal. And later made a great defensive play. Swanson still looked fresh in overtime. Girma never seems to make a mistake. And Naeher made the save of the tournament!

Germany played well, despite missing three major players.

 

I'm hoping that the Spanish players are not that well-conditioned, and that the short turnaround between matches will negatively affect them.

 

I fully get Rodman got our game winner last match, but she just doesn’t have much technical ability and it’s really frustrating to watch. Were used to seeing iconic players like Heath, O’reily, Rapinoe in that roll……

 

I dunno, Spain was tied by the 23rd ranked team, had to go to PK’s.

and I goes down in the rankings as a tie, which might have dropped them to second behind the USA.

 

There are a lot of changes to the starting 11 from last year, too. Swanson for Morgan has been huge. Coffey is an improvement over Sullivan. Lynn as the forward sub instead of Pino is good.

 

But, Naeher gets a steady stream of criticism on this board. So, apparently, our D has a lot to cover for.

 

I was for one…until the WC. We have a stable of really good GKs but I’m convinced she’s the best one we got.

 

I do value her stamina when things go awry on our final third. She runs as far back as to our goal line to intercept or break up plays. Something well needed for a “new” team who at this point I think, is still feeling their way around each other.

 

i do not feel Spain is really much of a threat to the USA but Brazil actually scares me. The fact that in their next match they will either be playing for the gold or playing to win the bronze is just some extra incentive. A fully fresh Marta combined with the speed and skill of the rest of the team is quite enough to worry anybody looking to play them.

I think the USA is better, right now, than either Brazil or Spain but Brazil. more than Spain, is simply scary to have to face. And, if they fix their problem with hitting the target they get even more scary.

But Spain has faced a two goal deficit before and advanced anyway. So the second half of Brazil vs Spain will be "interesting."

 

Brazil is up 2-0 52:30